It is one of the most coveted jobs in British theatre: following in the footsteps of Sam Mendes and Michael Grandage, the new artistic director of London's Donmar Warehouse is Josie Rourke.

The appointment sees Rourke, currently the artistic director of the Bush theatre in west London, returning to an organisation where she trained. In 2000, Rourke was on the company's resident assistant director scheme before working for five years as a freelance director.

Rourke, soon to direct Catherine Tate and David Tennant in Much Ado About Nothing in the West End, said she was thrilled and honoured: "It's the place where I began, where I did my training and have been so supported in my career by Sam and by Michael. On a personal level it just means a great deal."

She said she was inheriting a legacy of "20 years of wonderful productions, extraordinary performances and great nights out at the theatre".

Rourke's time at the Bush, something of a new writing powerhouse and another small theatre that punches well above its weight, has seen her direct plays including How to Curse, Tinderbox, Apologia and If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet.